Acupuncture for Pregnancy Symptoms & Postnatal Depression.
Pregnancy is a time of significant and rapid changes for a woman's body. The average length of pregnancy (gestation) is counted as 40 weeks, starting from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period.
The chance of miscarriage is highest in the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy and any symptoms of threatened miscarriage including abdominal cramps and vaginal bleeding must be investigated promptly.
Diagnosing and managing symptoms of perinatal anxiety and depression during pregnancy is also important, as it can be a serious illness that affects up to one in five expecting or new mothers.
What Does The Research Say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for pregnancy symptoms & postnatal depression.
2021 World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion
Acupuncture treatment for postpartum depression is effective and can improve Hamilton Depression (HAMD) Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and serum estradiol scores.
Meta analysis was conducted in the literature in recent 10 years relating to clinical randomized controlled trials of acupuncture in treatment of postpartum depression, which provided references for acupuncture in treatment of postpartum depression.
Fourteen articles were included in this study, among which, acupuncture group was set as treatment group, and oral administration of fluoxetine as control group in 4 articles; acupuncture group was set as treatment group, and oral administration of maltodextrin granules as control group in 2 articles. The differences in the 6 articles were statistically significant, without interference from other compound factors.
Meta analysis on acupuncture for postpartum depression WANG, J., TAN, L., MEI, Q., ZHENG, Q., YANG, S., & MEI, Z.
2020 BioMed Research International
Endometriosis and Adenomyosis can have impact on miscarriage risk in pregnancy.
The study analyzed 39 publications involving 697,984 women to assess the impact of endometriosis (EMS) and adenomyosis (AD) on miscarriage risk. Women with EMS showed increased miscarriage risk in spontaneous conception (SC), but similar risk in assisted reproductive technology (ART) compared to tubal infertility. AD was associated with higher miscarriage risk in ART. Sensitivity analyses supported these conclusions. EMS staging did not significantly alter miscarriage risk. Early-stage EMS showed higher early abortion risk. No significant associations were found between EMS and low birthweight, placental abruption, intrauterine growth restriction, or preeclampsia. EMS correlated with higher odds of antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, placenta praevia, and stillbirth. SUP and DIE were linked to increased miscarriage risk, while OMA showed no significant association. The findings suggest the need for closer monitoring and follow-up for pregnant women with EMS or AD, particularly in early pregnancy. Standardized recording of EMS types, stages, and miscarriage timing is recommended for future studies.
Miscarriage on Endometriosis and Adenomyosis in Women by Assisted Reproductive Technology or with Spontaneous Conception: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Yangxue Huang, Xianhong Zhao, Yiyuan Chen, Jie Wang, Weilin Zheng, Lixing Cao
2019 BioMed Research International
Acupuncture could reduce Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) scores for postpartum depression.
Though our meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture had a lower efficacy compared to other antidepression treatments, symptoms of depression relief were observed in the majority of the studies analysed. These findings indicate that although the efficacy of acupuncture was lower compared to antidepressants, the benefits of acupuncture were still attractive to women with postpartum depression due to their negligible side-effects.
In summary, despite the limitations mentioned above, this current systematic review suggests that acupuncture could reduce HAMD scores. However, EPDS, clinical response, and serum estradiol levels were unaffected by acupuncture treatment. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that treatment efficacy was variable and depended on the control types used. Large-scale and well-designed RCTs are required before a conclusive statement could be made regarding the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of postpartum depression.
Effectiveness of Acupuncture Used for the Management of Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Li W, Yin P, Lao L, Xu S
2018 Acupuncture in Medicine
Acupuncture appears to be effective for postpartum depression with respect to certain outcomes.
Nine trials involving 653 women were selected. The result of this meta-analysis demonstrated that the acupuncture group had a significantly greater overall effective rate compared with the control group. Moreover, acupuncture significantly increased oestradiol levels compared with the control group. Regarding the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores, no difference was found between the two groups.
Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Li S, Zhong W, Peng W, Jiang G
2018 British Journal of Midwifery
Acupuncture in postpartum depression was at least as effective as fluoxetine hydrochloride, supporting the notion that acupuncture may be a safe and effective option.
Of the 1592 studies reviewed, three met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis. Two studies reported no significant differences between acupuncture and fluoxetine for depression, while the third reported significant improvements.
Acupuncture versus antidepressants in the management of postpartum depression: A systematic review Akari Komori, David Arthur, Samara Radford, Hsiewe Ying Tan, Li Zheng, Mira An, Rika Umeda, and Zhen Zheng
2016 BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Acupuncture was a feasible intervention and reduced threatened miscarriage symptoms when compared to a touch intervention.
Threatened miscarriage is a common complication of early pregnancy increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. Currently there is limited evidence to recommend any biomedical pharmacological or self-care management, resulting in a ‘watchful waiting’ approach. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of offering acupuncture as a therapeutic treatment for women presenting with threatened miscarriage.
Acupuncture was a feasible intervention and reduced threatened miscarriage symptoms when compared to a touch intervention. Further research is required to further explore acupuncture use for this common complication and whether it can reduce the incidence of miscarriage.
Does acupuncture have a role in the treatment of threatened miscarriage? Findings from a feasibility randomised trial and semi-structured participant interviews Betts D, Smith CA, Dahlen HG.
2016 BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Acupoint stimulation shows promise in alleviating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
This review assesses acupoint stimulation techniques for treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Of 29 studies, 20 were included in quantitative analyses. Acupressure, acupuncture, auricular acupressure, and moxibustion were examined. While acupressure showed a 41% reduction in symptom severity, acupuncture had double the effect of control groups, and moxibustion improved symptoms by 65%. Continuous outcome measures did not show significant relief. Adverse events were minimal. The study calls for more rigorous trials, emphasizing the need for blinding and standardizing treatment protocols for conclusive results on acupoint stimulation's efficacy in NVP and HG.
Effect of acustimulation on nausea and vomiting and on hyperemesis in pregnancy: a systematic review of Western and Chinese literature Van den Heuvel, E., Goossens, M., Vanderhaegen, H. et al.
2014 Journal of Advanced Nursing
Acupuncture showed both clinically important changes and statistically significant results for management of low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP) in pregnancy.
Eight studies were selected for full review. Two acupuncture studies with low risk of bias showed both clinically important changes and statistically significant results. There was evidence of effectiveness for osteopathy and chiropractic. However, osteopathy and chiropractic studies scored high for risk of bias. Strength of the evidence across studies was very low.
A systematic review investigating the effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for the management of low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP) in pregnancy Close C, Sinclair M, Liddle SD, Madden E, McCullough JE, Hughes C.
2014 Acupuncture in Medicine
Acupuncture during pregnancy appears to be associated with few adverse events when correctly applied.
Of 105 included studies, detailed adverse events (AE) were reported only in 25 studies represented by 27 articles (25.7%). AEs evaluated as certain, probable or possible in the causality assessment were all mild/moderate in severity, with needling pain being the most frequent. Severe AEs or deaths were few and all considered unlikely to have been caused by acupuncture. Total AE incidence was 1.9%, and the incidence of AEs evaluated as certainly, probably or possibly causally related to acupuncture was 1.3%.
The Safety of Acupuncture during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review Park J, Sohn Y, White AR, Lee H.
2013 Medical Acupuncture
There is high-level evidence to support the use of acupuncture for treating major depressive disorder in pregnancy.
Six articles used the desired inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of research varied heavily. Five studies were properly randomized. Three were double-blinded. Three used individualized acupuncture. Four studies were of at least reasonable quality. One was of marginal quality, and one was of poor quality. There was a significant difference between acupuncture and at least one control in all six trials.
Acupuncture for Treating Anxiety and Depression in Women: A Clinical Systematic Review Sniezek DP, Siddiqui IJ.
2013 Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture's efficacy in treating gynecologic and obstetric disorders
This comprehensive review evaluates acupuncture's efficacy and safety in treating gynecologic and obstetric disorders. Examining systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, the study addresses conditions like pregnancy-related pelvic and low-back pain, labor pain, primary dysmenorrhea, and menopausal symptoms. The results are inconclusive, with some evidence supporting acupuncture's potential in reducing pelvic and back pain during pregnancy and alleviating climacteric vasomotor symptoms. However, more rigorous research is necessary for definitive conclusions. Adverse effects were minimal. The review emphasizes the need for well-designed studies to enhance the precision and reliability of findings regarding acupuncture's therapeutic benefits in these disorders.
Efficacy and Safety of Needle Acupuncture for Treating Gynecologic and Obstetric Disorders: An Overview Selva Olid A, Martinez Zapata MJ, Sola I, Stojanovic Z, Uriona Tuma SM, Bonfill Cosp X.
2012 BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have the potential to provide supportive care for women presenting with threatened miscarriage.
Within fertility research, acupuncture demonstrates beneficial hormonal responses with decreased miscarriage rates, raising the possibility acupuncture may promote specific beneficial effects in early pregnancy. With the lack of current medical options for women presenting with threatened miscarriage it is timely to examine the possible treatment benefits of providing CAM therapies such as acupuncture.
Acupuncture as a therapeutic treatment option for threatened miscarriage Betts D, Smith CA, Hannah DG.
Consult with our practitioners for personalised care and advice.
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we do not make any claims that any particular treatment may be efficacious for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you'll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Scientific References
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for pregnancy symptoms & postnatal depression.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2021, Jan
Meta analysis on acupuncture for postpartum depression
World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies
Acupuncture treatment for postpartum depression is effective compared with western medication. However, more high-quality clinical randomized controlled trials larger sample sizes are still needed to verify the result.
WANG, J., TAN, L., MEI, Q., ZHENG, Q., YANG, S., & MEI, Z. Full Article
2020, Dec 8
Miscarriage on Endometriosis and Adenomyosis in Women by Assisted Reproductive Technology or with Spontaneous Conception: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
BioMed Research International
Women with endometriosis had an augmented miscarriage risk in SC and a similar miscarriage risk during ART. Adenomyosis was associated with miscarriage in pregnant women using ART.
Yangxue Huang, Xianhong Zhao, Yiyuan Chen, Jie Wang, Weilin Zheng, Lixing Cao Full Article
2019, Mar 20
Effectiveness of Acupuncture Used for the Management of Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
BioMed Research International
Our meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture treatment may reduce HAMD scores, while no significant effects on EPDS, clinical response, and serum estradiol levels were observed.
Li W, Yin P, Lao L, Xu S Full Article
2018, Oct 1
Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society
The result of this meta-analysis demonstrated that the acupuncture group had a significantly greater overall effective rate compared with the control group. Moreover, acupuncture significantly increased oestradiol levels compared with the control group. Acupuncture appears to be effective for postpartum depression with respect to certain outcomes.
Li S, Zhong W, Peng W, Jiang G Full Article
2018, Oct 3
Acupuncture versus antidepressants in the management of postpartum depression: A systematic review
British Journal of Midwifery
Acupuncture in postpartum depression was at least as effective as fluoxetine hydrochloride, supporting the notion that acupuncture may be a safe and effective option.
Akari Komori, David Arthur, Samara Radford, Hsiewe Ying Tan, Li Zheng, Mira An, Rika Umeda, and Zhen Zheng Full Article
2016, Oct 17
Does acupuncture have a role in the treatment of threatened miscarriage? Findings from a feasibility randomised trial and semi-structured participant interviews
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Forty women were successfully randomised. For women receiving acupuncture there was a statically significant reduction with threatened miscarriage symptoms including bleeding, cramping and back pain compared with the control. Acupuncture was a feasible intervention and reduced threatened miscarriage symptoms when compared to a touch intervention. Further research is required to further explore acupuncture use for this common complication and whether it can reduce the incidence of miscarriage.
Betts D, Smith CA, Dahlen HG. Full Article
2016, Jan 13
Effect of acustimulation on nausea and vomiting and on hyperemesis in pregnancy: a systematic review of Western and Chinese literature
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Although there is some evidence for an effect of acustimulation on nausea and vomiting or hyperemesis in pregnancy, results are not conclusive. Future clinical trials with a rigorous design and large sample sizes should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these interventions for NVP and HG.
Van den Heuvel, E., Goossens, M., Vanderhaegen, H. et al. Full Article
2014, Mar 9
A systematic review investigating the effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for the management of low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP) in pregnancy
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Amongst Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), acupuncture showed both clinically important changes and statistically significant results for management of low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP) in pregnancy.
Close C, Sinclair M, Liddle SD, Madden E, McCullough JE, Hughes C. Full Article
2014, Jun 1
The Safety of Acupuncture during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society
Acupuncture during pregnancy appears to be associated with few adverse events when correctly applied.
Park J, Sohn Y, White AR, Lee H. Full Article
2013, Jan
Acupuncture for Treating Anxiety and Depression in Women: A Clinical Systematic Review
Medical Acupuncture American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
With respect to six reviewed studies, there is high-level evidence to support the use of acupuncture for treating major depressive disorder in pregnancy.
Sniezek DP, Siddiqui IJ. Full Article
2013, Dec
Efficacy and Safety of Needle Acupuncture for Treating Gynecologic and Obstetric Disorders: An Overview
Medical Acupuncture American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
Evidence for the efficacy of needle acupuncture for treating the disorders showed promising results for reducing pelvic and back pain during pregnancy and climacteric vasomotor symptoms.
Selva Olid A, Martinez Zapata MJ, Sola I, Stojanovic Z, Uriona Tuma SM, Bonfill Cosp X. Full Article
2012, Mar 22
Acupuncture as a therapeutic treatment option for threatened miscarriage
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
While it is known that 50-70% of miscarriages occur due to chromosomal abnormalities, the potential for therapeutic intervention amongst the remaining percentage of women remains unknown. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have the potential to provide supportive care for women presenting with threatened miscarriage. Within fertility research, acupuncture demonstrates beneficial hormonal responses with decreased miscarriage rates, raising the possibility acupuncture may promote specific beneficial effects in early pregnancy. With the lack of current medical options for women presenting with threatened miscarriage it is timely to examine the possible treatment benefits of providing CAM therapies such as acupuncture.
Betts D, Smith CA, Hannah DG. Full Article
“It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.” The Classic of Acupuncture
Circa 1st Century BCE